A pressure sensitive and luminous keyboard includes at least one key, a pressure detecting circuit, an illumination module and a controlling unit. When one of the plural keys is depressed in response to a first pressure, the pressure detecting circuit generates a pressure-strength sensing voltage. According to the pressure-strength sensing voltage, the controlling unit will judge the strength of the first pressure and control the illumination module to emit either the first light beam or the second light beam.
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1. A pressure sensitive and luminous keyboard, comprising: a base; plural keys disposed over said base, wherein when each of said plural keys is depressed, a sensing signal is generated in response to a pressure exerted on said depressed key; a membrane switch circuit module arranged between said base and said plural keys, wherein said membrane switch circuit comprises a pressure detecting circuit for detecting said pressure, thereby generating a corresponding pressure-strength sensing voltage, wherein said pressure detecting circuit comprises plural pressure detecting elements, and each of said plural pressure detecting elements comprises a high-impedance detecting contact and a low-impedance detecting contact, wherein when one of said plural keys is depressed in response to a first pressure, said high-impedance detecting contact and said low-impedance detecting contact corresponding to said depressed key are contacted with each other to have a first contact area, so that said pressure detecting element has a first impedance value, wherein when one of said plural keys is depressed in response to a second pressure higher than said first pressure, said high-impedance detecting contact and said low-impedance detecting contact corresponding to said depressed key are contacted with each other to have a second contact area greater than said first contact area, so that said pressure detecting element has a second impedance value higher than said first impedance value, wherein said pressure detecting circuit further comprises a detecting resistor, which is grounded and has a detecting impedance value, wherein said plural pressure detecting elements are respectively connected with said detecting resistor in series, and said pressure detecting circuit generates said pressure-strength sensing voltage according to said detecting impedance value and said first impedance value or said second impedance value, wherein when said pressure detecting circuit generates a first pressure-strength sensing voltage according to said detecting impedance value and said first impedance value, said controlling unit judges that said depressed key is depressed in response to said first pressure; an illumination module arranged between said base and said plural keys for emitting either a first light beam or a second light beam; a controlling unit connected with said membrane switch circuit module and said illumination module for judging a strength of said pressure according to said pressure-strength sensing voltage, and controlling said illumination module to emit either said first light beam or said second light beam according to said strength of said pressure, wherein said controlling unit controls said illumination module to emit said first light beam, wherein when said pressure detecting circuit generates a second pressure-strength sensing voltage according to said detecting impedance value and said second impedance value, said controlling unit judges that said depressed key is depressed in response to said second pressure, and said controlling unit controls said illumination module to emit said second light beam.
The pressure-sensitive and luminous keyboard contains a base with keys. Pressing a key generates a sensing signal based on the pressure. A membrane switch circuit, positioned between the base and keys, includes a pressure detecting circuit that generates a pressure-strength sensing voltage. The pressure detecting circuit uses multiple pressure detecting elements, each having high and low impedance contacts. When a key is pressed with varying pressure, the contact area between these elements changes, resulting in different impedance values and generating unique pressure-strength sensing voltages. A controlling unit reads the pressure-strength sensing voltage and controls an illumination module to emit a first or second light beam corresponding to the pressure.
2. The pressure sensitive and luminous keyboard according to claim 1 wherein said membrane switch circuit module comprises: a first membrane circuit board having plural scan input lines, wherein said plural scan input lines have respective low-impedance input contacts; and a second membrane circuit board laminated with said first membrane circuit board, and having plural scan output lines, wherein said plural scan output lines have respective low-impedance output contacts, said plural scan output lines and said plural scan input lines crisscross to define a keyboard scanning matrix, and said low-impedance input contacts and said low-impedance output contacts of said keyboard scanning matrix collectively define plural intersection points corresponding to respective keys, wherein when a first key of said plural keys is depressed, a first low-impedance input contact of said plural scan input lines corresponding to said first key and a first low-impedance output contact of said plural low-impedance output contact corresponding to said first key are contacted with each other.
The pressure-sensitive luminous keyboard includes a membrane switch circuit module with a first membrane circuit board containing scan input lines that have low impedance input contacts and a second membrane circuit board laminated with the first, containing scan output lines with low impedance output contacts. The scan input and output lines form a keyboard scanning matrix, creating intersection points which correspond to each key. Pressing a key causes contact between a scan input line and a scan output line, completing a circuit at the key's intersection point. This occurs within a pressure-sensitive luminous keyboard that also has a pressure detection circuit to sense the pressure exerted and control illumination.
3. The pressure sensitive and luminous keyboard according to claim 1 wherein said illumination module comprises: plural light emitting diodes arranged at bilateral sides of said plural keys for emitting either said first light beam or said second light beam; and a light guide plate laminated with said membrane switch circuit module for changing propagating directions of said first light beam and said second light beam, so that said first light beam and said second light beam are guided to enter said light guide plate in a first direction and leave said light guide plate in a second direction, wherein said first direction is parallel with said membrane switch circuit module, and said first direction and said second direction are perpendicular to each other.
The pressure-sensitive luminous keyboard's illumination module uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned on the sides of the keys to emit first or second light beams. A light guide plate, laminated with the membrane switch circuit module (responsible for sensing key presses based on pressure), changes the direction of the light beams. The light beams enter the light guide plate parallel to the membrane switch and exit perpendicular to it, effectively directing light upwards through or around the keys. This keyboard also features a pressure detecting circuit to sense the pressure exerted and control the emitted light beam.
4. The pressure sensitive and luminous keyboard according to claim 3 wherein said membrane switch circuit module is disposed on said light guide plate.
The pressure-sensitive luminous keyboard includes a light guide plate and a membrane switch circuit module where the membrane switch circuit module (responsible for sensing key presses based on pressure and controlling illumination) is physically placed on the light guide plate (responsible for distributing light from LEDs). This arrangement contributes to the compact design and efficient light distribution for illuminating the keys based on pressure sensitivity. This occurs within a pressure-sensitive luminous keyboard that also has a pressure detecting circuit to sense the pressure exerted and control illumination.
5. The pressure sensitive and luminous keyboard according to claim 3 wherein said light guide plate is disposed on said membrane switch circuit module, and comprises plural perforations.
The pressure-sensitive luminous keyboard includes a light guide plate and a membrane switch circuit module where the light guide plate (responsible for distributing light from LEDs) is positioned on top of the membrane switch circuit module (responsible for sensing key presses based on pressure and controlling illumination). The light guide plate has perforations or small holes. The perforations allow components or light from beneath to pass through the plate. This keyboard also features a pressure detecting circuit to sense the pressure exerted and control the emitted light beam.
6. The pressure sensitive and luminous keyboard according to claim 1 wherein each of said plural keys comprises: a keycap exposed outside said base, wherein when said keycap is depressed, said sensing signal corresponding to said depressed key is generated; a scissors-type connecting member connected with said keycap, so that the keycap is movable upwardly or downwardly within a travelling distance with respect to said base; and an elastic element disposed under said keycap, wherein when said keycap is depressed and moved downwardly with respect to said base, an elastic force is accumulated, wherein when said keycap is released, said elastic force is applied on said keycap, so that said keycap is moved upwardly with respect to said base.
Each key on the pressure-sensitive luminous keyboard includes a keycap (the part you press), a scissors-type connecting member that lets the keycap move up and down within a defined range, and an elastic element (like a spring) underneath. Pressing the keycap causes the elastic element to store energy. When you release the keycap, the stored energy pushes it back up. When the keycap is pressed it generates a sensing signal corresponding to the depressed key. This keyboard also features a pressure detecting circuit to sense the pressure exerted and control the emitted light beam.
7. The pressure sensitive and luminous keyboard according to claim 1 wherein said first light beam has a first light color, and said second light beam has a second light color.
The pressure-sensitive luminous keyboard emits different colored lights based on pressure. The first light beam has a first light color, and the second light beam has a second, different light color. The controlling unit will choose which light color to display according to the amount of pressure exerted when the key is depressed. This keyboard also features a pressure detecting circuit to sense the pressure exerted and control the emitted light beam.
8. The pressure sensitive and luminous keyboard according to claim 1 wherein said first light beam flickers at a first frequency, and said second light beam flickers at a second frequency, wherein said first frequency is lower than said second frequency.
The pressure-sensitive luminous keyboard emits different light patterns based on pressure. The first light beam flickers at a first frequency, and the second light beam flickers at a second frequency. The first frequency is slower than the second frequency. The controlling unit will choose which light frequency to display according to the amount of pressure exerted when the key is depressed. This keyboard also features a pressure detecting circuit to sense the pressure exerted and control the emitted light beam.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
September 3, 2010
August 20, 2013
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